Hageman Cosigns Amicus Brief Challenging Use of “Obstruction of an Official Proceeding” Law

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman cosigned an Amicus Brieffor Fischer v. United States, led by Senator Tom Cotton and Representative Jim Jordan, that would decide whether the D.C. Circuit Court misapplied Statute 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2), the obstruction of an official proceeding law in January 6^th cases.  

Representative Hageman stated, “We have seen clear evidence of the weaponization of our government against its citizens. In this case it is about manipulating statutes to prosecute political opponents. 

“This Amicus brief specifically argues that a financial crimes statute, which was created in response to Enron, is being misapplied as part of the weaponization of the federal government. Despite having never previously been used outside of that context, the Department of Justice has leveraged the significant prison time imposed by this statute to obtain guilty pleas from those who were present around the Capitol on January 6^th.

“As further evidence of the DOJ’s overly broad interpretation of the statute is incorrect, I would point to the fact that they haven’t brought any such cases against others who have attempted to delay or shut down Congress—including the pro-Hamas protestors who “occupied” the Capitol buildings a few months ago, Congressman Jamal Bowman after his fire alarm scandal, or protestors at Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

“This tragedy is yet another example of the weaponization of our federal government against political opponents; including the parents attending school board meetings, families worshipping at church, and individuals posting on social media, and it must stop.”